Gov. Brian Kemp (R-GA) has called the Georgia legislature to a special session this week for a variety of matters facing the Peach State.
The special session was proclaimed by Kemp last month after the state’s legislative maps were struck down by a federal judge. During the session, lawmakers are expected to take up several matters affecting the state, including the gas tax and crafting new legislative maps. Here are three things to know about the issues set to be discussed at the special session.
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Legislative maps
The current legislative maps for the Peach State, which were instituted in 2021 based on the 2020 census, were struck down in October by a federal judge.
The judge ruled the state and congressional legislative maps violated Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act and must be redrawn by Dec. 8, so the new maps may be used for the 2024 election. Shortly after the ruling, Kemp ordered the special session with new maps as the top priority.
The maps need to be drawn with better adherence to the Voting Rights Act — creating more majority-black districts. Democrats are expected to benefit from the new maps at all levels.
Gas tax
Since September, Kemp has had a state of emergency in place for inflation that suspended the state’s gas tax. The most recent extension is set to expire on Wednesday, when the special session opens, and Kemp has called for the legislature to take action on the matter.
“I’m proud this action has helped keep millions of dollars in hardworking Georgians’ pockets and look forward to continuing to see that impact with the Thanksgiving holiday approaching. I’m also grateful for the partnership of the General Assembly as it prepares to enter a special session where legislators will be called on to ratify this measure,” Kemp said in a statement earlier this month.
The gas tax in the Peach State is 31.2 cents per gallon on gas and 35 cents per gallon on diesel fuel.
Other matters
In his proclamation of the special session, Kemp also called for “enacting, revising, repealing, or amending local laws which the general assembly deems necessary to avoid hardship.”
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Kemp has also asked the state Senate to “consider and confirm various appointments” he has made since the legislature adjourned its last session on March 30.
The special session in Georgia is scheduled to begin on Wednesday. The next regular session for the Georgia legislature is set for Jan. 8, 2024.
